MILITARY  EDUCATION: 


ITS  PECULIAR  ADVANTAGES 


IN  THE  STUDY  OF 


yikntnn,  ^riena,  aiiir  %xts. 


AN  ADDRESS, 


DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  MILITARY  EDUCATIONAL  CONVENTION,  HELD  AT 
WILMINGTON,  DELAWARE,  SEPTEMBER  Gth,  1853. 


BY  . : ; i 

ARCHER  aiFFORH, 

OF  NEWARK,  NEW-JERSEY. 


“The  assembly  to  which  I address  myself  is  too  enlightened  not  to  be  fully  sensible  how  much 
a flourishing  state  of  the  Arts  and  Sciences  contributes  to  national  prosperity  and  reputation. 

• • • • In  proportion  as  the  observance  of  pacific  maxims  might  exempt  a nation 

from  the  necessity  of  practising  the  Rules  of  Military  Art,  ought  to  be  its  care  in  preserving,  and 
transmitting  by  proper  establishments,  the  knowledge  of  that  avt.— President  Washington's  Eighth 
Message  to  Congress. 

BUNNELL  & PRICE,  121  FULTON  STREET. 

1 8 5 3. 


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EXTRACT 


FROM  THE  MINUTES  OF  THE  MILITARY  EDUCATIONAL  CONVENTION, 


Held  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  September  6,  1853. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  tendered  to  Mr.  Gifford,  for 
his  able  and  erudite  Address  ; and  that  Col.  A.  Duryee  and  Prof.  A.  J.  Robinson 
be  appointed  a Committee  to  solicit  a copy  of  the  same  for  publication. 

E.  T.  SUDLER,  President. 


W.  W.  Benjamin, 
A.  J.  Robinson, 


I Secretaries. 


The  undersigned,  as  a Committee  of  the  Educational  Convention  assembled  at 
Wilmington,  have  the  honor  to  request  for  publication  a copy  of  the  Address 
deliivered  by  you  on  that  occasion. 

Respectfully,  A.  DURYEE. 

A.  J.  ROBINSON. 

To  Archer  Gifford,  Esq. 

Brandywine,  Sept.  7,  1853. 


Gentlemen, 

In  compliance  with  your  request,  I have  the  honor  to  submit  to  your  disposal 
a copy  of  my  Address  delivered  at  Wilmington. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

ARCHER  GIFFORD. 

Col.  A.  Duryee. 

Prof.  A.  J.  Robinson. 

Brandywine,  Sept.  7,  1853. 

4 

■ Y 


“ THAT  I 

CALL  A COMPLETE 

AND  GENEROUS  EDUCATION,  WHICH  FITS 
A MAN  TO  PERFORM  JUSTLY,  SKILFULLY,  AND  MAGNANIMOUSLY, 
ALL  THE  OFFICES  BOTH  PRIVATE  AND 
PUBLIC,  OF  PEACE  AND 
WAR.” — Milton. 


SWrfSs 


How  active  and  restless  is  the  human  mind  1 Observe 
the  little  child;  scarcely  has  language  given  utterance 
to  thought,  when  the  spirit  of  incpiiry  becomes  percep- 
tible in  its  animated  countenance,  and  eager  attention  to 
every  object  within  the  range  of  its  vision.  As  time 
hastens  on,  frequent  and  pertinent  questions  show  the 
dawn  of  intellect,  and  often  cause  our  wonder  and  our 
admiration  of  its  precocity  of  reason  and  judgment. 
Baffled  in  the  pursuit  of  its  inquiries,  the  child  is  not  dis- 
couraged, but  seeks  some  other  avenue  for  the  knowledge 
it  would  have.  Action  follows ; and  soon,  conscience  ap- 
pears to  exercise  its  sway  over  the  will  and  the  subtle 
passions  of  our  nature,  and  gives  us  assurance  that  a soul 
is  there  for  good  or  evil. 

We  may  well  then  commend  the  wisdom  of  that  Ro- 
man custom  which  committed  the  care  of  children,  until 
a certain  age,  only  to  females ; and,  in  the  highest  ranks 
of  society,  to  those  matrons  who  were  distinguished  alike 
for  their  virtue  and  attainments,  confiding  to  their  care 
those  engaging  objects  of  innocence  and  integrity,  ever 
teaching  them  to  be  tractable  and  submissive,  forming 
their  manners,  and  instilling  habits  of  attention  to  every 


6 


subject  tliat  could  be  of  advantage  to  them,  and  render 
them  useful  and  honorable  in  society. 

We  may  be  allowed  to  dwell  uj)on  this  subject,  as  it 
is  the  broad  platform  upon  which  is  to  be  based  the  su- 
perstructure of  Education,  which  has  been  defined  by 
our  Webster,  “to  comprehend  all  that  series  of  instruc- 
tion and  discipline  wdiich  is  intended  to  enlighten  the 
understanding,  correct  the  temper,  and  form  the  man- 
ners and  habits  of  youth,  and  fit  them  for  usefulness  in 
their  future  stations  or,  in  the  golden  language  of  the 
Stagyrite,  “ man’s  ornament  in  prosperity,  and  refuge  in 
advei'sity.”  And  they  whose  business  it  is  to  act  as  our 
teachers,  and  as  professors  in  this  cause,  may  well  desire 
tlie  best  material  for  the  application  of  their  work  ; such 
as  the  youth  who  has,  from  his  earliest  years,  been  taught 
to  form  habits  of  obedience ; to  distinguish  between  the ' 
effects  produced  by  causes  of  moral  and  evil  tendency ; 
to  subdue  sensual  gratifications,  and  to  control  his  con- 
fiicting  passions,  and  to  know  that  he  is  to  take  an  active 
part  in  the  affairs  of  life. 

It  is,  perhaps,  owing  to  a neglect  of  this  early  pre- 
paration, that  the  hopes  of  many  fond  parents  have  been 
disappointed.  They  have  rather  perverted  than  con- 
formed to  the  wholesome  maxim,  that  “ there  is  a time 
for  all  things,”  and  have  neglected  their  own  part  in  the 
proper  employment  of  that  time,  by  contributing  to 
quicken  every  new  impulse  of  the  youthful  mind,  by 
satisfying  the  first  desire  for  knowledge,  however  imper- 
fectly expressed;  by  the  kindest  correction  of  every 
wayward  act;  fixing  the  attention  upon  every  useful 
subject  in  some  attractive  manner,  and  yet  not  so  as  to 


7 


interrupt  tlie  playful  diversions  of  childliood,  but  to  make 
tliem  subservient  to  tlie  purposes  of  education ; or,  in 
other  words,  literally  commencing  that  education,  and 
opening  the  way  for  loftier  attainments.  Let  him  who 
has,  by  the  successful  labors  of  the  mind,  attained  a pro- 
minent and  respected  station  in  society,  revert  to  the 
period  of  his  childhood,  and  he  will  discover  the  early 
source  of  his  prosperity  in  the  devoted  and  watchful 
mother,  or  in  some  kind  assiduous  female  friend,  who 
nurtured  the  principles  which  have  since  been  the  guide 
and  protection  of  later  years.  And  it  is  little  to  be 
questioned,  that  the  renowned  mothers  of  the  Gracchi, 
of  Julius  Caesar,  and  of  Augustus,  by  their  early  super- 
vision, originated  the  fortunes  of  those  distinguished 
men,  whose  achievements  have  so  blazoned  the  pages  of 
the  past. 

It  is  thus  that  the  youthful  mind  becomes  prepared 
for  future  improvement.  Early  and  seasonable  restraint 
begets  habit,  which,  in  time,  becomes  a second  nature, 
and  fits  the  mind  to  be  the  recipient  of  wisdom  and 
knowledge  So  truly  did  the  ancient  Spartans  consider 
this  devotedness  to  youth  as  a primary  duty,  and  as  a 
point  of  national  policy,  that  when,  as  we  are  told.  An- 
tipater demanded  of  them  a certain  number  of  their 
children  as  hostages,  they  desired,  rather,  that  the  terms 
should  be,  as  many  more  in  number  of  well-trained  sol- 
diers ; so  highly  did  they  prize  the  education  of  their 
children,  and  zealously  guard  against  the  corruption  of 
their  morals. 

A few  more  years  have  passed  away,  and  the  child 
has  arrived  at  that  period  of  life’s  first  great  effort, 


8 


wlieu  tlie  allurements  of  tlie  world  are  to  be  resisted, 
by  a stern  and  vigorous  resolution  ; and  vdien  tbe  pro- 
pensities to  self-interest  and  aggrandizement,  require 
to  be  regulated  and  curbed  by  a strong  moral  sense  of 
riglit.  The  vast  volume  of  the  universe  is  now  laid 
open  to  his  more  matured  mind,  and  he  is  urged  forward 
on  the  track  which  ambition  has  pointed  out  as  the 
Highway  to  fame  and  emolument.  Opinions  are  now 
delivered  by  him,  with  the  confidence  of  the  full-grown 
man ; and  the  instructor  has  to  assume  the  painful,  or 
the  pleasurable  duty,  as  habits  may  have  been  ripened, 
of  directing  his  future  progress. 

The  youth  may,  at  this  period,  be  made  to  understand 
the  nature  of  man’s  great  business  in  life ; that  he  is  the 
object  of  Divine  and  of  Human  Laws,  and  that  he  is 
bound  to  obey  those  laws ; that  he  has  a duty  to  perform, 
in  acts  or  forbearances,  constituting  a triple  relation, — 
to  his  Maker,  his  Neighbor,  and  himself ; to  himself^  as 
requiring  the  study  of  his  own  physical  and  moral  being  ; 
to  his  neighbor^  the  knowledge  of  every  subject  that 
can  make  him  useful  and  agreeable,  in  his  civil,  social  and 
domestic  relations ; to  his  Maker ^ the  improvement  of 
every  faculty,  with  that  undivided  love  which  prompts 
to  continued  acts  of  gratitude  and  praise. 

What  system,  then,  can  best  accomj^lish  the  perfec- 
tion of  these  objects  ? Here  we  enter  upon  a subject, 
as  fruitful  of  controversy  as  the  attributes  of  man  can 
make  it ; Avhether  it  be  the  Course  of  Study  ; the  early 
or  late  cultivation  of  the  mind ; whether  the  Student 
should  be  left  free  and  unrestrained,  or  guarded  by 
proper  rules  and  regulations ; and  whether  under  pri- 


9 


vate  or  public  instruction.  To  this  end  Schools  have 
been  re-modified  ; Elementary  Works  have  been  sought 
out  and  devised  ; Normal  Teachers  have  been  graduat- 
ed ; modern  improvements  of  School  Structures  adopted ; 
and  withal,  we  have  had  Legislative  enactments,  and 
resolutions  of  societies  established  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  learning.  These  are  the  subjects  which,  at  this 
day  of  letters,  occupy  the  mind  of  the  Philanthropist, 
and,  (may  I not  say  ?)  of  the  Politician  ; — an  omen  of 
the  increasing  popularity  of  a cause  which  is  to  operate 
for  the  good  of  mankind.  But  it  is  not  our  intention 
to  enter  the  lists  for  a discussion  of  these  subjects, 
which  are  deservedly  engaging  the  attention  of  the 
most  distinguished  men  of  our  country.  We  may  best 
seek  for  the  solution  of  the  proposed  question,  in  the  ex- 
perience of  by-gone  times,  and  in  their  Institutions,  and 
those  which  now  exist,  and,  from  a consideration  of 
their  advantages  and  abuses,  endeavor  to  ascertain  that 
which  may  now  be  made  most  available  to  the  Scholar, 
and  to  his  country. 

No  truth  is  oftener  presented  to  us,  than  this, — that 
man  is  a social  being.  He  is,  indeed,  adapted  to  society, 
both  by  his  physical  and  mental  conformation ; without 
society,  his  education  would  tend  only  to  his  misery ; in 
this  world  of  harmonious  laws,  he  would  be  continually 
discovering  the  beautiful  arrangements  of  its  Creator, 
and  “ searching  out  all  perfection,”  without  that  inter- 
course which  imparts  delight,  and  excites  to  deeper 
draughts  of  wisdom.  No  matter  how  secluded  he  may 
be  by  his  own  wants,  and  those  of  his  fellow-men,  he 
is  brought  continually  into  a communication  with  them. 


10 


either  in  the  peaceful  circle  of  a country  village,  or  in 
the  concentrated  mass  of  a town  or  city.  It  is  agree- 
able to  Nature  then,  that  knowledge  should  be  most 
readily  obtained  by  such  intercourse ; and  we  find,  in 
every  age,  that  the  social  system,  however  limited  may 
be  the  subjects  which  have  been  taught,  as  well  by  the 
Priests  of  Egypt,  the  Sophists  and  Philosophers  of 
Gireece  and  Pome,  the  Persian  Magi,  and  the  Indian 
Bramins,  as  in  all  the  Colleges  of  modern  times,  has 
been  approved  and  practised,  as  most  effectual  for  culti- 
vating the  mind,  and  best  calculated  to  stimulate  an 
ardor  of  pursuit  necessary  for  the  attainment  of  excel- 
lence ; by  furnishing  the  means  of  a comparison,  and 
assimilation  of  views ; by  associations  which  form  the 
foundations  of  future  intimacies  and  friendships  ; by 
stirring  up  the  sympathies  of  the  heart,  which  tend  to 
relieve  the  oppressed  and  indigent,  and  thus  plentifully 
storing  the  mind,  and  qualifying  the  student  for  the 
part  which  he  may  be  called  upon  to  perform  as  a 
citizen. 

The  solitary  student  may  have  avoided  dangerous  ex- 
amples, but  he  has  not  discovered  the  depths  of  his 
own  passions,  nor  the  policy  of  regulating  them.  He 
may  have  studied,  in  his  closet,  the  Philosophy  of  Man ; 
but  he  has  not  tried  the  spirits  of  the  world,  with  whom 
he  has  to  grapple  in  afterlife;  he  may  have  had  the  ad- 
vantage of  exclusive  attention  devoted  to  him  by  Instruc- 
tors, and  yet  lack  the  independence  of  a mind  thrown 
upon  its  own  resources,  the  energy  and  spirit  to  be 
derived  from  a participation  with  others  in  their  labors, 
and  the  warmth  that  is  generated  by  opposition.  If 


11 


our  sons  are  hereafter  to  mingle  with  the  people  of  the 
world,  they  should  be  previously  qualified  for  such  inter- 
course, by  some  knowledge  of  those  who  are  to  be  their 
fellows,  and  of  what  may  be  of  advantage  to  the 
public,  as  well  as  to  themselves.  It  is  so  in  the  ordinary 
affairs  of  life;  we  do  not  prepare  the  candidate  for 
a Profession  or  a Trade,  without  first  instructinof  him 
in  all  the  technicalities,  and  initiating  him  into  all  the 
mysteries  of  his  calling.  And  if  the  proper  study  of 
mankind  is  man,”  we  cannot  expect  him  to  be  even 
tolerably  proficient  in  that  complex  and  most  difiicult 
of  all  attainments,  without  constant  intercourse  with 
his  fellow-creatures,  in  the  season  of  youth,  when  the 
heart  expands  with  generous  emotions,  and  is  undis- 
guised by  chicanery  and  deceit. 

We  may  trace  the  existence  of  Seminaries  of  Learn- 
ing, to  the  primitive  schools  of  the  Prophets  in  Pales- 
tine ; and,  from  that  period,  through  a Priestly  organiza- 
tion, continued  by  the  Pabbis  of  the  synagogue,  to  the 
captivity  of  Babylon.  And,  although  we  have  evidence 
of  the  cultivation  of  science  among  the  Chaldeans,  the 
Indian  and  other  ancient  nations,  in  the  Braminical 
learning  that  exists  at  this  day;  from  the  fact,  that  the 
Jewish  law-giver  was  learned  in  all  the  wisdom  of  the 
Egyptians,  (of  whose  refinement  we  have  scriptural  ac- 
counts, and  also  proofs  in  the  enrichment  by  her  Ptolemies, 
of  that  magnificent  treasury  of  knowledge,  the  Alex- 
andrian Library ;)  and,  although  we  read  of  the  accom- 
plishments of  the  Persian  Cyrus  ; of  the  attainments  of 
the  sages  of  Athens  and  Borne ; and  of  the  Academies, 
in  those  times,  (which  were  rather  the  resort  of  pro- 


12 


ficients  in  learning,  than  the  means  of  cultivating  its 
rudiments,)  no  general  organization  of  schools  was 
known  to  exist,  until  about  the  fifth  century,  when  they 
were  established  by  the  Emperor  Theodosius,  in  whose 
reign  the  Christian  Clergy  sought  to  break  down  what 
they  denominated  a heathenish  education.  From  that 
time,  they  continued,  in  most  countries,  under  what  has 
been  termed  a Conventual  System.  We  do  not  mean 
that  strict  monopoly  of  education  which  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  Clergy  during  the  mediaeval  ages  ; but  we 
refer  to  a continued  effort  by  them  to  control  it. 

Without  giving  any  Historical  Detail,  it  would  appear 
that  these  Sacerdotal  Schools,  with  their  own  peculiar 
views  of  the  uses  of  knowledge,  have  not  included  that 
attention  to  certain  branches  of  science,  and  their  practi- 
cal benefits,  which  are  essential  to  the  commonwealth. 
And  it  is  remarkable,  that,  from  the  time  of  Henry 
VHL,  when  the  light  of  civilization  and  when  freedom 
of  opinion  first  began  to  be  diffused  over  the  world  ; 
when  the  art  of  Printing  had  so  multiplied  the  means 
of  mental  improvement ; when  Peligious  Toleration  had 
loosed  the  bands  which  had,  for  so  long  a period  fettered 
the  intellectual  energies  of  men ; it  is  remarkable  that 
there  should  have  existed  such  reverence  for  institutions 
of  a Monachal  character,  and  such  adherence  to  them, 
which  have  elaborated  the  deepest  knowledge  in  certain 
studies,  without  any  realization  of  their  uses  to  the 
scholar,  who  has  been  fitted  to  contribute  but  little  to 
the  general  wants  of  society,  beyond  what  may  be  termed 
university  knowledge.  “It  is  (says  Adam  Ferguson) 
peculiar  to  Modern  Europe,  to  rest  much  of  the  human 


13 


character  on  what  may  be  learned  from  the  informa- 
tion of  Books.  We  endeavor,  through  the  grammar 
of  dead  languages,  and  the  channel  of  commentators, 
to  arrive  at  the  beauties  of  thought  and  elocution,  which 
sprung  from  the  animated  spirit  of  society,  and  were 
taken  from  the  living  impressions  of  an  active  life. 
Our  attainments  are  frequently  limited  to  the  elements 
of  a science,  and  seldom  reach  to  that  enlargement 
of  ability  and  power,  which  useful  knowledge  should 
give ; as  Mathematicians  who  study  the  Elements  of 
Euclid,  but  never  think  of  mensuration.  We  read  of 
societies,  but  do  not  propose  to  act  with  men.  We 
repeat  the  language  of  politics,  but  feel  not  the  spirit  of 
nations.  We  attend  to  the  formalities  of  Military  Dis- 
cipline, but  know  not  how  to  em^^loy  numbers  of  men 
to  obtain  any  purpose  by  stratagem  or  force.”  Is  it  not 
so  ? Look  over  that  immense  throng  of  literary  men, 
who  have  drank  deej)est  of  those  celebrated  fountains 
of  wisdom  which  have  existed  dn  Europe;  men  whose 
capacious  minds  would  appear  to  have  been  constituted 
for  compassing  eyery  untried  mystery  of  Science,  and 
by  means  of  high  general  education,  qualified  to  peer 
into  every  avenue  of  knowledge.  How  many  of  these 
have  been  conspicuous  in  the  emergencies  of  their  coun- 
try ? — in  her  Armies  ; her  Navies  ; her  Public  Councils  ? 
Who  have  been  her  Historians,  Poets,  and  Biographers  ? 
Here  and  there  among  those  who  have  been  brought 
to  notice  by  the  contending  elements  of  society,  may  be 
found  one,  who  has,  more  by  force  of  native  genius,  than 
by  scholastic  acquirements,  achieved  for  the  Public  good 


14 


what  he  might  have  produced,  as  the  result  of  any  other 
previous  course  of  instruction. 

A general  position  that  the  university  system,  as  hith- 
erto conducted,  may  best  lay  the  foundation  for  future 
usefulness,  is  not  to  be  evidenced  by  a few  graduates  who 
have  become  distinguished  in  after  life ; nor  is  it  the 
result  of  any  process  of  reason,  that  a course  of  study 
and  regimen  which  confines  the  faculties  to  science,  or 
accomplishment  of  mind,  without  any  admixture  of  such 
exercises  as  may  direct  the  application  to  civil  life,  and 
yet  remits  so  much  to  the  student’s  voluntary  efforts, 
can  be  of  great  subsequent  practical  advantage.  Col- 
leges and  Schools  should  be  organized  and  conducted, 
not  only  for  towering  genius  to  excel  in  learning,  and 
then  to  choose  a calling,  but  for  the  education  of  the 
masses,  with  all  degrees  of  intellect  and  disparities  of 
circumstance,  with  a view  to  their  future  action  as  co- 
workers in  society.  They  are,  or  ought  to  be,  the  great 
laboratories  which  contain  the  correctives  of  a natural 
resistance  in  the  human  mind  ; and  to  aid  the  study  of 
science  by  the  observations  of  nature.  They  have  the 
power  to  try  out  the  ability  of  the  student,  where  it  lies 
buried  under  his  own  indistinct  view  of  its  importance, 
or  his  own  indisposition  to  act;  and  they  are  intended 
rather  to  aid  the  struggles  of  a Murray,  or  a Ferguson, 
in  their  upward  and  toilsome  course,  than  to  strew  with 
flowers  the  classic  pathway  of  a Porson,  or  an  Elmsley. 

By  this  social  system  we  may  see  what  has  been  done 
by  Colleges,  in  particular  departments  of  science,  and 
how  much  might  have  been  effected,  were  it  not  for  an 


15 


almost  exclusive  attention  to  Book-knowledge  and  form- 
al prelections,  or  rather  the  absence  of  all  their  practical 
advantages.  It  is  true,  that  the  Public  has  become 
awakened  to  the  importance  of  establishing  seminaries 
which  may  remedy  these  disadvantages  and  produce  a 
practical  bearing  upon  the  life  and  manners  of  the 
rising  generation ; and  yet,  it  will  hardly  admit  of  a 
question,  that  the  system  of  these  long-honored  and 
deeply-endowed  universities  can  be  superseded,  or  that 
their  influence  will  not  be  extended  to  others  in  this 
country,  as  in  England. 

But  this  exclusiveness  has  been  made  an  objection 
to  other  institutions  in  foreign  countries.  The  Na- 
tional University,  founded  by  Napoleon  in  France,  with 
its  Lyceums,  originally  failed  in  its  designs,  (although 
afterwards  it  was  modifled  under  more  successful 
auspices,)  because  it  was  constructed  on  military  prin- 
ciples alone,  and  as  little  fitted  to  promote  the  true 
purposes  of  education,  as  the  monastic  narrovv^ness  of 
former  ages.  “ The  Clergy  (he  said)  regard  this  world 
as  a mere  Diligence  which  is  to  convey  us  to  the  next ; 
it  must  be  my  business  to  fill  up  the  public  carriage 
with  good  recruits  for  my  army.”  And  yet,  the  Dili- 
gence proved  impracticable  under  this  strict  military 
rule,  because  of  the  very  objection  that  was  raised  to 
Clerical  management ; its  limited  views  which  prevented 
the  full  development  of  mind,  and  only  satisfied  the  one 
idea  of  its  founder. 

A lamentable  defection  may  also  be  witnessed  under 
what  may  be  considered  an  experimental  Government 
at  this  period,  not  far  remote  from  us.  The  prudential 


16 


foresight  of  Petion  liad  caused  to  "be  established,  at 
Hayti,  a School  and  Lyceum  which  combined  all  the 
advantages  of  useful  instruction  for  civil  of  military  life, 
and  which  was  approved  and  followed  by  his  successor 
Boyer,  for  periods  together  comprising  more  than  thirty 
years,  during  which  time  there  was  clear  indication  of  a 
healthful  progress  in  the  advancement  of  the  intellect, 
and  civilization  of  this  unfortunate  people.  But  within 
ten  years  past.  Imperial  Buie  has  supplanted  the  Bepub- 
lic  ; and,  with  its  exclusive  military  teaching,  as  well  as 
its  conscriptive  j)ower,  and  maudlin  assumption  of  Boy- 
alty,  has  destroyed  the  Freedom  of  the  Press,  and 
Elective  Franchise,  (the  two  great  pillars  of  a happy 
government ;)  and  has  left  to  education,  as  to  liberty,  but 
a name. 

Without  giving  particulars,  we  may  remark  that  in 
Bussia  and  Austria,  as  in  France  and  Spain,  (where  the 
jealous  spirit  of  the  government  obstructs  all  freedom  of 
inquiry,  and  discussion  of  public  laws  and  political  econ- 
omy,) it  has  been  well  observed  “ that  the  exertion  of 
the  human  intellect  has  been  fettered  by  coercing  its 
energies,  and,  by  its  Procrustean  policy,  has  attem]3ted 
to  mould  every  capacity  after  the  same  model.-’  And 
in  Prussia,  where  schools  have  been  nationalized,  and 
their  organization  is  equal  to  that  of  any  country  in  the 
world,  there  exists  the  same  indisposition  to  infuse, 
throughout  the  mass  of  the  people,  those  princq^les 
Avhich  are  calculated  to  elevate  the  mind,  and  purify  the 
heart  and  its  affections.  Hence,  as  we  see  some  of  the 
l)est  educated  men  who  have  escaped  from  the  rigorous 
bondage  of  these  countries,  are  here,  incapable  of  apply- 


17 


ing  themselves  for  subsistence  to  any  professional  busi- 
ness, but,  with  all  their  eminent  attainments,  are  sub- 
jected to  the  humblest  traffic,  or  to  manual  labor.  We 
may  justly  conclude,  then,  that  under  the  monarchies  of 
Europe  there  are  defects  in  the  process  of  education, 
which  prevail  either  from  the  absence  of  a liberal 
course,  a monopoly  by  the  clergy,  or  a seated  and,  j^er- 
haps,  politic  jealousy  of  the  government.  In  this  coun- 
try, where  there  is  no  Clerical  or  Military  espionage,  we 
are  in  rapid  progress  upon  the  utilitarian  principle,  in 
all  our  seminaries  of  learning ; and  Ave  have  endeavored 
to  adopt,  in  our  schools,  every  feasible  plan,  from 
sources  of  experience  abroad,  or  whatever  our  own  inge- 
nuity could  devise,  for  facilitating  the  advancement  of 
mind.  Nor  have  our  colleges  assumed  those  great  objec- 
tionable features  which  have  characterized  the  univer- 
sities of  Europe,  however  preeminent  they  may  be  in  the 
cultivation  of  their  favorite  sciences.  But,  are. we  pre- 
pared to  say,  that  our  seminaries  are  entirely  free  from 
this  exclusiveness,  or  are  perfect  in  discipline,  and  in  the 
means  of  instruction  in  those  duties  which  constitute 
the  great  principle  of  life  ? We  Avell  may  acknowledge 
the  advantages  and  benefits  they  aftbrd ; but  we  may  as 
readily  sujDpose  that,  by  a further  exercise  of  judicious 
regulations,  the  mind  could  be  trained  to  a better  sense 
of  its  own  powers,  and  the  application  of  them  to  future 
purposes.  I mean — especially,  under  that  discipline  by 
which  Time  is  fully  appreciated  and  employed, — 
Health  is  promoted  and  preserved  — the  Constitu- 
tion AND  Laavs  of  the  country  are  familiarly  under- 
stood— Keligious  principle  inculcated,  and  habits  of 

2 


18 


Industry  and  Self-Control  are  acquired  and  fixed, 
where  by  nature  they  do  not  exist.  Allow  me  to  speak 
of  these  in  their  order. 


How  brief  a part  of  the  day  is  usually  consumed  in 
the  actual  exercises  of  an  Academic  Course  ! The 
remainder  of  it  is  devoted  to  the  resuscitation  of  the 
physical  and  mental  energies,  in  various  modes,  and  in 
such  measure  as  the  disposition  of  each  student  may 
prompt.  And  yet,  nature  has  so  established  its  rules 
and  laws  to  that  end,  and  so  well  defined  them,  that  it 
is  a cause  of  wonder  and  regret,  that  they  have  not  been 
made  the  special  subject  of  consideration  and  practice  in 
all  our  seats  of  learning.  They  are  not,  indeed,  popular 
with  the  young  candidate  for  an  Academic  Course,  who 
has  the  choice  of  the  institution  with  which  he  would  be 
connected,  and  who  prefers  the  most  elegant  ease.  But 
a proper  understanding  of  man’s  constitution  will  satisfy 
us,  that  a regard  to  economy  of  time  has  its  profit  in 
improving  the  smallest  portions  of  it  to  afford  the  great- 
est amount  of  acquirement.  “ Gather  up  the  fragments,” 
is  a truly  available  motto  for  him  who  looks  far  into  fu- 
turity for  a requital  of  his  labors.  The  vast  ocean  is  an 
accumulation  of  drops.  The  longest  life  is  a sum  of  the 
minutest  periods  of  time.  If  it  is  true  that  Idleness  is 
the  mother  of  many  evils,  how  jealously  should  it  be 
guarded  against  by  wholesome  regulations!  The  re- 
mark of  Socrates  to  the  youth  whom  he  observed 
to  be  alone  and  unemployed,  is  of  itself  a homily : — 
Young  man,  beware ; for  you  are  in  the  worst  of  com- 
pany,” The  mind  should  ever  be  in  a state  of  readiness 


19 


to  receive  instruction;  for,  without  this  preparation, 
nothing  can  well  be  apprehended  or  retained.  It  is,  as 
it  were,  (to  use  the  words  of  an  eminent  divine,)  to  read 
the  beautiful  periods  of  Tully  to  a dull  and  senseless 
animal. 

It  may  be  said,  that,  by  a rigid  system,  we  cramp  the 
pliancy  of  the  mind,  which  should  be  unencumbered  with 
any  scholastic  machinery  ; but  what  mean  the  parental 
restraints  of  our  early  years  ? What  mean  the  conven- 
tional rules  and  forms  which  every  where  surround  us, 
when  entering  upon  the  study  of  any  branch  of  useful 
learning  or  art  ? And  what  means  the  acknowledged 
principle,  which  has  been  current  from  the  highest  au- 
thority for  more  than  two  thousand  years,  that  “ it  is 
good  for  a man  that  he  bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth  ?” 
We  know  that  we  shall  be  opposed  here,  by  the  adages, 
“ Dulce  est  desipere  in  loco,”  and  “ The  bow  must  be 
sometimes  unbent,”  with  many  others  which  are  ever  at 
hand  to  indulge  the  reluctance  of  nature  to  any  exertion. 
We  would  not,  however,  be  understood  as  opposing  a 
new  theory  to  these  favorite  maxims,  so  well  accredited 
and  honored  by  time.  But  there  is  a probationary  period 
of  ripening  talent,  the  most  immature  stage  of  man’s 
existence,  when  stringent  method  may  ensure  the  prom- 
ise of  future  excellence ; as,  by  constraint,  the  pliant 
twig  is  made  to  form  the  upright  stately  oak;  and 
when,  with  all  vigilance,  the  ojpere  peracto  ludemus^’’  or 
some  such  playful  maxim,  will  claim  and  enjoy  its  full 
privilege.  May  we  not  presume,  that  had  the  benevo- 
lent Titus  given  these  sayings  a place  among  the  princi- 
ples which  governed  his  use  of  time,  we  should  not  have 
heard  his  memorable  expression,  (the  warder  of  many  a 


20 


noble  heart  in  after  time,)  “My  friends,  I have  lost  a 
day.”  The  ways  and  means  of  instruction  are  not  more 
jealously  to  be  regarded,  than  the  fleeting  and  irrevoca- 
ble moments  that  may  be  wasted  in  devising  the  appli- 
ances of  education  while  the  mind  is  sulfeiung  an  atro- 
phy for  the  want  of  that  nourishment  by  which  it  may 
renovate  itself.  What  then, — but  to  observe  that  sea- 
sonable care,  that  vigilant  and  anxious  regard  for  the 
fractions  of  time,  which  judiciously  applies  them  to 
every  variety  of  mental  labor,  and  which  appropriates 
even  the  hours  of  relaxation,  and  converts  them  to  the 
impi’ovement  of  the  mind  ? 

Another  and  essential  consideration  is,  The  Pee- 
SERVATioN  OF  Health.  The  importance  of  this  subject 
may  be  estimated,  by  observing  the  capabilities  of  the 
genius  of  man,  and  his  general  disregard  of  health, 
when  left  to  himself  in  the  pursuit  of  some  favorite 
and  absorbing  subject.  He  has  scanned  the  heavens, 
“glowing  with  living  sapphires,”  and  told  their  rela- 
tive positions,  magnitudes,  and  distances,  with  mathe- 
matical accuracy ; and  their  revolutions,  with  the  utmost 
precision  that  numbers  could  denote.  He  has  reached 
the  skies,  and  harmlessly  'drawn  away  its  jnysterious 
electric  fluid,  to  serve  the  purposes  of  earthly  skill  and 
ingenuity ; the  pathway  of  the  surging  waters  he  has 
pursued ; and  has  explored  the  mighty  ocean,  through 
tempest  and  darkness,  by  the  aid  of  that  subtle  and 
attractive  power  which  he  has  discovered,  to  sustain 
and  balance  the  earth  in  its  revolutions.  He  has  pene- 
trated the  depths,  and  played  the  alchemist. 


“ Turning  that  meagre,  cloddy  earth,  to  glittering  gold.” 


21 


And  what  might  we  not  recount  as  the  result  of  his 
talents  and  enterprise,  in  the  application  of  these  ele- 
ments ; by  the  power  of  Steam  and  of  the  Magnet,  by 
which  labor  and  distance  have  been  rendered  of  small 
account ; and  even  thought  is  transmitted  with  the 
rapidity  of  time  itself?  And  yet,  the  tenement  of  that 
mighty  spirit  has  gone,  with  the  unnumbered  millions 
who  have  inhabited  the  earth,  and  has  left  to  us  this 
melancholy  truth,  that,  with  all  his  genius  and  wisdom, 
he  never  looked  into  himself,  but  j)erished  untimely,  by 
an  utter  neglect  or  ignorance  of  the  rules  which  con- 
cern his  Physical  Health,  which  are  inseparable  from 
the  existence  and  progress  of  the  human  mind. 

How  true  are  the  words  of  the  learned  Bacon,  “ If 
by  gaining  knowledge  we  destroy  our  health,  we  labor 
for  a thing  that  will  be  useless  in  our  hands ; he  that 
sinks  his  vessel,  by  overlading  it,  though  it  be  with 
gold,  and  silver,  and  precious  stones,  will  give  its 
owner  but  an  ill  account  of  his  voyage.” 

There  is  not  a more  melancholy  spectacle  than  that 
presented  by  the  young  man  who,  with  the  glow  of 
ambition  and  feverish  hectic  of  disease  struggling  to- 
gether on  his  cheek,  pursues  his  mental  labors,  with- 
out regard  to  sanitary  rules  and  laws,  which  have 
become  almost  familiar  maxims,  and  are  sanctioned  by 
the  professional  learning  of  ages.  As  he  toils  onward, 
and  the  chaplet  of  honor  is  about  to  rest  upon  his 
brow,  he  is  insensibly  beyond  the  power  of  any  Physi- 
cal remedy ; for,  alas  ! too  often  the  mortal  worm  is  at 
the  heart,  before  the  bud  begins  to  wither.  Who  are 
responsible  for  this  sacrilice  of  life  and  talent ; an  every- 


22 


day  occurrence  ? If  liis  constitution  was  frail,  his  system 
should  not  have  been  wasted  by  excessive  application ; 
for  we  know  that,  by  the  observance  of  some  pruden- 
tial rules,  the  feeblest  constitutions  have  endured  to 
old  age,  and  have  yet  borne  the  severest  labors  of 
the  mind.  Galen,  Cornaro,  Fontenelle,  and  Watts,  are 
eminent  instances  of  what  men,  under  the  pressure  of 
bodily  infirmities,  may  accomplish,  even  after  the  age 
when  they  ordinarily  desist  from  intellectual  labor. 
There  are  many  Literary  Institutions  which  have  their 
appointed  hours  for  exercise  and  study,  but  do  not 
assume  any  control  over  the  remaining  portions  of  the 
day  and  night,  which  they  allow  to  be  employed  at 
pleasure,  considering  attention  to  health  as  a subject  pro- 
per to  be  managed  and  corrected  by  the  student’s  own 
sense  of  propriety,  or  fit  to  engage  the  attention  of  none 
but  the  speculatist.  Our  picture  may  be  considered  as 
too  vividly  drawn ; but  it  is  nevertheless  true,  that  dis- 
ease, or  decline  of  health,  has  frequently  originated 
from  such  negligence,  and  might  have  been  prevented 
by  judicious  regulations. 

The  recent  commission  appointed  to  examine  into 
the  present  administration  of  one  of  the  English  uni- 
versities, wdth  a view  to  sound  and  beneficial  legisla- 
tion, and  which  has  exposed  many  of  its  abuses,  and 
much  of  moral  degradation,  recommends  a thorough 
reformation,  ujDon  an  improved  modified  arrangement, 
as  well  for  this  purpose,  as  others.  Our  seminaries 
have  not  been  negligent  in  this  particular.  The  student 
is  no  where  (in  cases  of  residence)  allowed  to  indulge 
his  own  taste  and  judgment  in  certain  pleasures,  which 


23 


are  obviously  destructive  of  health.  Nor  is  he,  in  all 
such  institutions,  permitted  to  select  his  own  hours  for 
recreation  or  repose. 

These  are  partial  advances  in  the  march  of  reforma- 
tion. And  we  may  well  conceive  of  other  meliorations, 
when,  instead  of  wasting  a long  and  tedious  vacation, 
which  comprises  a considerable  portion  of  the  year,  in 
listless  and  destructive  ease ; in  amusements  that  ener- 
vate the  body  and  enfeeble  the  mind ; he  might,  under 
■competent  teachers,  traverse  our  hills  and  mountains, 
taking  their  altitudes,  exploring  their  vegetable  and 
mineral  productions,  (those  everlasting  types,  as  termed 
by  Wilmot,  which  Nature  in  her  great  printing  press 
never  breaks  up,)  tracing  out  the  footprints  of  creation, 
in  all  their  forms ; and  thus,  combining  the  principles  of 
Mathematical  Science  with  those  of  Natural  Philoso- 
phy, by  such  a process  of  education,  may  continually 

“ Find  tongues  in  trees,  books  in  the  running  brooks, 

Sermons  in  stones,  and  good  in  every  thing.” 

The  advances  which  have  been  made  by  our  com- 
mon school  system,  satisfactorily  show  what  may  yet 
be  done.  Whoever  looks  over  a space  of  thirty  years 
past,  and  remembers  our  crowded  and  un ventilated 
school-rooms,  their  inconvenient  furniture,  the  meagre 
means  and  manner  of  instruction,  and  can  now  wit- 
ness the  sweeping  reformation  of  these  abuses,  must  be 
awake  to  a sense  of  the  necessity  of  further  improve- 
ment. Health  should  never  be  a subject  of  indifPer 
ence,  in  any  beneficent  enterprise,  while  we  have  assur- 
ance that  if  there  be  one  truth  which  has  more  of 


24 


divine  imj)ress  tlian  another,  it  is,  that  the  body  is 
the  temple  of  the  soul ; — the  Soul,  which  thinks,  and 
prompts,  and  guides  to  action,  and  whose  offices  in  this 
world  are  naught,  without  its  wonderful  and  mysterious 
habitation.  If,  then,  we  consider  the  practicability  of 
this  reformation,  and  the  number  of  valuable  lives  that 
may  be  saved  to  the  commmiity,  while  we  condemn  the 
empiricism  of  the  day,  we  may  justly  conclude,  that  the 
School  or  College  that  has  regard  for  the  rules  and 
exercises  which  contribute  to  the  preservation  of  health 
is  much  to  be  commended  for  our  encouragement. 

Again,  a proper  discipline  promotes  a knowledge  of 
our  Constitution  and  Laws.  The  genius  of  our  Govern- 
ment is  truly  preservative  of  peace,  and  the  good  order 
of  civil  society ; but  to  have  it  properly  appreciated, 
the  citizen  should  be  familiarized  with  this  Constitution 
and  these  laws.  And  it  is  thus  as  in  the  arts  and  sci- 
ences ; he  should  not  only  be  made  to  understand  it  and 
its  applications,  but  with  a devoted  zeal  to  learn  its 
excellence,  as  he  would  the  business  which  is  to  be  his 
future  employment ; to  realize  that  our  Magna  Charta 
confounds  the  terms  of  Plebeian  and  Patrician,  and 
extends  its  privileges  alike  to  all ; to  feel  that  in  politics 
as  in  religion,  the  purity  of  its  essence  presumes  the 
alembic  of  an  honest  heart,  and  that  the  stability  of 
any  government  depends  upon  obedience  to  its  laws, 
and  the  effort  of  every  intelligent  citizen  to  direct  them 
for  the  preservation  of  those  great  civil  and  political 
rights,  of  Property,  of  Suffrage,  and  of  Speech ; and, 
in  a word,  that  true  patriotism  which  “ seeketh  not  its 
own,”  but  in  every  respect  deserves  the  rich  apostolic 


25 


definition  of  the  inestimable  and  godly  virtue  of  Charity. 
The  otfices  and  honors  of  his  country  are  open  to  him. 
He  may  be  chosen  to  represent  the  community  in  the 
Halls  of  Legislation,  and  maybe  constantly  called  upon 
to  fulfil  certain  duties,  either  in  Courts  of  Justice,  or 
under  municipal  regulations ; there  are  times,  too,  when, 
widely  extended  as  our  Kepublic  is,  with  its  great 
natural  boundaries  and  its  territorial  interests,  factions 
may  light  the  torch  of  discord,  more  fearfully  to  be 
apprehended  than  an  invading  enemy.  And  questions 
of  our  domestic  policy  and  diplomatic  relations  will 
then  occur,  which  require  the  keenest  perception  of 
right,  and  course  of  action.  Under  such  circumstances, 
we  must  not  su23pose  him  to  be  ignorant  of  his  rights 
and  duties ; or  to  be  deficient  in  presence  of  mind,  or 
decision  of  character.  But  these  qualities  are  not  to  be 
possessed  intuitively;  nor  will  his  zeal  or  interest  in  them 
be  quickened,  unless  at  that  period  when  the  affections 
are  warm,  when  other  elements  of  knowledge  are  learned, 
and  by  a system  which  j)i’omotes  his  own  self-resjDect, 
and  an  enlarged  sense  of  the  rights  of  his  fellow-beings. 

As  an  encouragement  to  a discipline  which  facilitates 
the  advancement  of  learning,  it  may  be  asserted,  that  if 
the  highest  exercise  of  our  faculties  can  be  relied  on  as 
the  safeguard  of  our  happy  government,  there  is  also  a 
reflex  influence  which  civil  liberty  sheds  upon  the  mind, 
and  which  excites  our  greatest  ardor  in  the  pursuit  of 
knowledge.  Witness  the  universal  attention  which  is 
bestowed  on  the  subject  at  this  time  throughout  our 
land  of  liberty.  I do  not  mean  the  organization  only 
of  nurseries  of  learning,  but  the  education  that  is  in 
progress  by  means  of  those  volumes  of  information 


26 


wliicli  are  poured  forth  by  the  teeming  Press,  unshackled 
by  political  censorship,  to  every  individual;  and  the 
voluntary  movements  in  every  class  of  society,  by  as- 
sociations for  the  unrestrained  culture  of  the  mind. 
Truthfully  has  it  been  said  by  the  poet, 

“ Freedom  hath  a thousand  charms  to  show, 

That  slaves,  howe’er  contented,  never  know. 

The  mind  attains,  beneath  her  happy  reign. 

The  growth  that  Nature  meant  she  should  attain. 

The  varied  fields  of  science,  ever  new. 

Opening,  and  wider  opening  to  her  view. 

She  ventui’es  onward,  with  a prosperous  force, 

While  no  base  fear  impedes  her  in  her  course.” 

These  are  the  effects  of  a free  and  happy  government 
that  fosters  every  enterprise  for  intellectual  improve- 
ment ; these,  the  unfading  charms  that  constitute  the 
pride  of  our  nation,  and  form  the  bright  and  radiant 
Iris  of  its  prosperity. 

Is  there  not,  then,  in  view  of  such  advantages,  a sound 
policy  in  cherishing  the  spirit  of  our  Constitution  and 
Laws,  and  in  securing  efficient  Institutions,  which  may 
systematically  curb  and  subdue  the  licentiousness  of 
youth,  so  that  they  may,  as  good  citizens,  become  the 
means  of  preserving  a pure  and  correct  knowledge  of 
the  great  principles  of  Civil  Government  ? 

Need  we  enforce  the  necessity  of  Religious  Instruction 
in  a country  whose  origin  may  date  frojn  its  struggles, 
not  more  for  civil  liberty,  than  for  religious  toleration ; 
which  has  since  been  made  the  watch-word  in  every 
conflict  of  that  Revolution  which  gave  birth  to  our  Inde- 
pendence ? And  why  ? but  to  create  by  this  universal 


27 


feeling,  not  what  is  termed  a National  Religion,  but  a 
Religious  Nation ; worthy  of  the  many  blessings  con- 
ferred on  us,  by  Him  “in  whom  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth  are  to  be  blessed;”  imparting  its  influences  to 
other  and  distant  lands,  and  breathing  forth  collectively 
and  continually  the  same  spirit  of  Peace  and  Good-Will 
to  men  at  large,  which  is  enjoyed  by  individuals  and 
their  families  apart,  and  thereby  consolidating  the  inter- 
ests and  happiness  of  mankind,  without  the  agitation  of 
complicated  political  questions ; while  this  religion  con- 
tains within  it  all  the  elements  of  union  and  compromise; 
and  if  by  its  spirit  of  truth  we  are  made  free,  “ we  are 
free  indeed  ” 

Christian  principle  is  an  essential  ingredient  of  true 
courage ; the  nurse  of  civil  liberty.  Without  it,  men 
who  have  encountered  the  rage  of  battle  with  coolness 
have  yet  fallen  under  and  sunk  beneath  the  pressure  of 
moral  adversity.  The  mighty  and  ambitious  Csesar 
trembled  under  a superstitious  presage  of  his  death ; 
Cato  and  Brutus,  with  all  the  calm  philosophy  of  the  one, 
and  intrepidity  of  the  other,  gave  way,  and  perished 
by  their  own  hands,  under  the  pangs  of  disappointed 
ambition,  or  the  agonizing  sting  of  conscience ; while 
thousands  of  simple-hearted  Christians,  who  have  con- 
tributed to  swell  “ the  noble  army  of  martyrs,”  have 
dared  to  live,  in  view  of  the  sacrifice  of  family  and 
friends,  and  of  all  their  earthly  comforts,  and  to  face 
every  variety  of  torture  that  truculent  ingenuity  could 
invent,  or  barbarous  cruelty  inflict.  But  these  noble 
and  benign  affections  must  be  planted,  take  root,  and 
“ grow  with  our  growth,  and  strengthen  with  our 
strength ;”  literally,  to  be  produced  by  line  upon  line, 


28 


and  precept  upon  precept ; or,  in  otlier  words,  by  the 
systematic  study  of  the  Scriptures. 

We  do  not  here  enter  into  that  controversy  which  is 
so  rife  abroad,  and  now  prevails  in  our  own  land,  whether 
schools  shall  be  subject  to  the  Secular  or  the  Ecclesias- 
tical power;  whether  the  infallible  doctrines  of  one 
Church,  or  the  peculiar  dogmas  of  another,  should  be 
studied,  to  make  their  impress  on  the  scholar’s  char- 
acter. But  we  may  fearlessly  say,  that  if  the  sublimest 
truth  and  j^nrest  counsel  that  can  light  the  pathway  of 
life,  are  ever  to  become  “ the  day-star  of  his  hopes,  or  the 
pavilion  of  his  peace  and  prosperity,”  he  must  not  neglect 
or  be  ashamed  of  that  religion,  while  the  pulse  of  youth 
beats  high  and  strong  for  noble  purposes.  Nor  should 
his  teachers  be  slow  to  inculcate  those  vital  precepts 
which  glow  upon  the  page  of  Inspiration,  touched  by 
the  finger  of  God  himself.  But  how  ineffectually  is  this 
done  in  many  of  our  institutions, — nay,  in  all, — as  if  it 
was  experimented,  how  small  a portion  of  time  would 
suffice  for  enlightening  the  soul,  wdiile  the  practice  of 
infidels  is  a rebuke  on  the  indifference  of  Christian  pro- 
fessors to  their  own  text-book.  The  philosophic  Hume 
acknowledged,  that  it  contained  the  fairest  scheme  for 
the  civilization  of  man.  Bousseau  could  view,  with  as- 
tonishment, the  majesty  of  the  Scriptures,  and  feel  that 
its  sanctity  addressed  itself  to  his  heart.  Diderot  would 
have  his  child  diligently  instructed  in  its  precepts,  the 
code  of  her  morals,  and  the  guide  of  her  future  life. 
A long  train  of  illustrious  unbelievers  have  rendered 
homage  to  this  divine  fountain  of  wisdom,  while  we  our- 
selves feel  and  admire  its  pervading  influence,  as  an 


29 


atmosphere  of  life.  And,  yet,  our  youth  are  launched 
upon  the  world,  without  more  than  the  simplest  elements 
of  a Christian  education,  and  are  made  to  enter  into  the 
great  conflict  with  that  world,  professedly  as  Christians, 
but  with  “armor  they  have  not  proved.”  For  a series 
of  years,  they  are  charmed  by  classic  authors,  who 
exhibit,  in  the  most  seductive  colors,  the  religion  of  the 
Pantheon,  familiarizing  them  with  Pagan  deities,  and 
preoccupying  their  minds  with  illusions  and  absurdities, 
“changing,  as  it  were,  the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  into 
an  image  made  like  to  corruptible  man while  the 
sacred  oracles  of  truth,  that  teach  the  worship  of  the 
only  living  and  true  God,  are  formally  approached,  and 
coldly  read,  with  hearts  not  less  at  variance  with  its 
divine  precepts  than  were  those  of  the  people  of  Lystra 
and  of  Athens,  when,  at  the  altar  of  “ the  unknown  God,” 
they  ignorantly  bowed.  If  a compliance  with  the  refine- 
ments of  taste  obliges  us  to  have  recourse  to  these  cele- 
brated ]‘epositories  of  Roman  grandeur  and  Attic  ele- 
gance, should  it  not  be  the  part  of  those  who  are  the 
watchmen  of  their  country’s  morals,  to  administer  the 
surest  antidote  to  such  impersonated  evils,  by  instruction 
fi’om  the  Bible,  where  the  first  workings  of  error  may 
be  quenched,  and  where  the  well-springs  of  the  under- 
standing may  be  replenished  by  its  dew  of  heavenly  wis- 
dom? Young  men  will  then  come  to  understand,  and 
be  satisfied,  that  an  equal  estimate  has  been  made  by 
their  teachers  of  this  subject,  as  of  the  settlement  of 
mathematical  speculations ; discussions  on  the  digamma ; 
or  logical  abstractions. 

We  have  said,  that  this  discipline  should  form  habits 


80 


of  industry  and  self-control,  where  by  nature  they  do  not 
exist.  Systematic  application  is  the  talisman  by  which 
the  student  can  overcome  every  difficulty.  The  strin- 
gent rules,  by  which  his  present  character  has  been 
moulded,  are  forgotten,  in  the  deep  and  pervading 
satisfaction  he  feels  in  this  second  nature,  which  so 
eminently  befits  him  for  executing  the  great  purpose  of 
his  creation.  New  objects  are  brought  to  his  notice, 
and  wrought  into  usefulness ; temptations  are  excluded ; 
the  free  spirit  of  inquiry  is  made  continually  to  soar 
where  genius  can  attain  its  greatest  elevation ; and  the 
holar  and  the  perfect  man  become  identified. 

Who  are  the  men,  in  our  age,  that  have  been  called  out, 
on  public  emergencies,  as  the  very  arms  of  our  strength  ? 
Whose  brilliant  efforts  have  shed  their  lustre  in  our  high- 
est councils  ? Whose  names  have  received  the  homage 
of  respect  and  applause  from  foreign  nations,  and  have 
caused  despots  to  tremble  for  their  frail  tenure  on  civil 
liberty  ?y^ames  which  have  been  written  on  the  heart  of 
every  American  in  characters  so  strong,  so  vivid,  that 
time  never  can  efface  them  ; names  which  have  been  so 
elevated  for  their  wisdom  and  patriotism,  that  it  would 
seem,  in  the  course  of  a wise  Providence,  they  should 
have  been  permitted  to  go  down  to  other  generations  as 
signal  and  admirable  instances  to  show,  that  without  the 
adventitious  aid  of  worldly,  official  honor,  the  might  and 
majesty  of  intellect  alone,  can  shape  the  way  to  immor- 
tality. What  was  it  that  gave  these  men  their  proud 
distinction  ? Trace  them  in  their  biographies,  if  they 
are  faithfully  to  be  written,  from  youth  to  age ; in  all 
their  occupations ; follow  them  to  their  closets,  and  wit- 


81 


ness  their  toils  on  the  eve  of  some  burst  of  enthusiasm 
which  has  been  made  to  electrify  our  entire  continent ; 
and  if  you  are  not  satisfied,  ask  of  those  who  have 
known  the  secret  of  the  successful  labors,  and  that  mighty 
spring  of  intellect,  which  characterized  the  lives  of 
Adams,  of  Calhoun,  of  Clay,  and  of  Webster,  and  you 
will  be  told  it  was  discipline  and  unwearied  industry 
which  caused  their  names  to  become  the  glorious  memo- 
riaJ^f  their  country’s  honor. 

^^Lgain,  this  discipline  generates  also  the  habit  of  self- 
control  ; a determination  to  master  every  passion  of 
the  heart,  and  to  subdue  every  untried  difiiculty  which 
can  obstruct  the  pathway  to  the  goal  of  his  ambition. 
But  whether  his  employment  is  to  be  of  a civil  or  mili- 
tary nature ; whether  in  public  or  private  life ; this 
abandonment  of  self,  this  mastery  of  the  inner  man,  by 
all  the  appliances  we  have  mentioned,  must  be  the  result 
of  regular  and  constant  training,  leading  onward  to  pre- 
ferment, as  to  health  and  happiness : — a self-control, 
without  which  we  never  should  have  read  the  charmed 
periods  and  commanding  eloquence  of  Demosthenes  and 
Burke ; or  have  had  our  spirits  stirred  within  us  by  the 
recital  of  the  noble  acts  which  have  crowned  the 
memory  of  Fabius  and  of  Washington. 

But  let  us  not  suppose,  that  our  system  aims  at  the 
acquirement  of  self-control,  as  part  of  an  education,  by 
those  only  who  may  be  expected  to  become  distinguish- 
ed for  their  eloquence,  or  their  martial  achievements. 
This  self-control  should  be  acquired  as  not  less  requi- 
site to  regulate  and  guide  the  ordinary  and  ten- 
der sympathies  of  our  nature,  and,  oft-times,  where 


32 


ambition  and  self-interest  may  be  made  to  yield  to  tbe 
calls  of  honor  and  humanity.  The  Valerian  teacher 
would  have  delivered  to  the  Eoman  general  Camil- 
lus  the  children  of  that  besieged  city,  and  so  have 
secured  to  him  its  conquest ; but  he  scornfully  rejected 
the  base  proposal,  remarking,  that  “ a great  general 
should  rely  only  upon  his  own  virtue,  and  not  upon 
the  treachery  of  others.”  And  the  enemy  was  sub- 
dued, by  this  touching  and  generous  regard  for  his  own 
honor  and  parental  sympathy  and  love,  where  military 
skill  and  force  had  proved  inadequa-te,  and  drew  forth 
its  beautiful  commentary : “ The  Romans,  in  preferring 
justice  to  conquest,  have  taught  us  to  be  satisfied 
with  submission,  instead  of  liberty.”  And  when  Na- 
poleon made  his  perilous  ascent  of  the  Alps,  and,  amid 
the  desolations  of  that  fearful  scene,  took  from  a 
drooping  and  exhausted  soldier  his  musket,  and  bore 
it  on  his  own  shoulder ; it  was  a deed  of  greater  mag- 
nanimity than  when,  under  “ that  sun  of  Austerlitz,” 
he  vanquished  the  combined' legions  of  Russia  and  Aus- 
tria; or  when,  from  Cannae,  in  the  terrible  ascendancy 
of  his  genius,  he  effected  his  exulting,  though  ill-fated 
re-entry  into  Paris.  The  triumph  of  a conquering  host 
is  watered  by  the  tears  of  bereaved  widows  and  or- 
phans ; the  rescue  of  a single  life,  is  an  act  which  restores 
to  the  bosom  of  society  the  object  of  their  protection, 
and  is  ever  fresh  with  the  precious  dew  of  public  grati- 
tude and  love : — that  man  who  stops  at  the  limits  which 
justice  has  marked  out  for  the  course  of  honor;  who 
knows  that  he  has  a brother  in  adversity  to  relieve ; who 
sees,  in  all  civil  relations,  the  dependencies  of  man  upon 


Ills  fellow-man,  and  is  conscious  of  his  capacity  to  perform 
one  generous  deed  of  humanity ; — may  well  realize,  that 
u process  of  education  which  cultivates  such  graces,  is 
worth  the  application  of  a life,  and  he  may  readily  ap- 
preciate the  simple  and  expressive  language  of  the 'wise 
man,  that  “ he  who  ruleth  his  spirit,  is  greater  than  he 
who  taketh  a city  f ’ expressive, — because  it  shows,  by  this 
striking  comparison,  the  nature  and  difficulty  of  a w^ork 
which  would  call  for  the  highest  energies  of  the  soul, 
wrought  upon  by  continued  precepts,  and  the  love  of 
eminent  example^ 

^And  here,  again,  a great  and  inestimable  - attain- 
ment is  left  by  our  schools,  to  be  accomplished  by 
the  mere  force  of  moral  suasion, — which  may  often 
rather  minister  to  our  infirmities,  than  promote  or 
correct  our  morals.  If  men  were  alike  constituted, 
with  the  ability  and  disposition  to  command  themselves, 
and  with  all  sufficient  motives,  then,  doubtless,  self-dis- 
cipline would  be  well  repaid  for  its  labor.  But,  alas ! 
few  have  the  resolution,  firmness,  and  discernment,  of  a 
Ximenes,  a Cecil,  or  a Franklin ; and  where  these 
qualities  are  not  implanted  by  nature,  they  must  be  the 
result  of  education. 

Mark  the  historical  fact,  that  when  the  great 
Spartan  Law-giver  determined  to  form  a nation  of 
warriors,  he  did  not  wait  for  the  period  when  the  citi- 
zen became  capable  of  bearing  arms;  of  listening  to 
sound  precept;  and  of  enduring  the  severities  of  a 
camp ; but  he  claimed  the  children,  while  yet  in  in- 
fancy, as  public  property,  and,  with  a rigor  of  treat* 
ment  which  suited  only  the  strongest  constitution,  they 

S 


34 


were  to  renounce  every  luxury  and  every  pleasure,  and 
to  extinguish  every  sympathetic  feeling,  one  only  ex- 
cepted, (that  most  powerful  agent  in  man’s  transac- 
tions,) Patriotism  ; their  education  being  “ an  appren- 
ticeship of  obedience.”  And  such  were  the  privations 
and  pains  of  this  almost  intolerable  discipline,  that  all 
the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  the  battle-field  were  hailed 
with  delight,  as  being,  in  the  words  of  Alcibiades,  “ a 
welcome  relief  from  such  a life  as  they  were  obliged  to 
lead.”  But  here  was  the  effect  of  principle  ; Ids  object 
was  accomplished.  It  was  to  make  men  warriors ; and, 
however  incompatible  the  strictness  of  this  system 
might  be  with  our  free  government  in  this  day  of  intel- 
ligence, it  fully  illustrates  our  position. 

It  has  been  questioned,  whether  a well-ordered  state 
of  society  may  be  produced  by  a system  of  rewards  and 
punishments ; a condition  which  may  best  arise  from  the 
early  cultivation  and  continual  exercise  of  good  prin- 
ciples which  act  in  harmony  with  the  laws  of  nature, 
under  a strict  though  generous  supervision.  Laws  with 
pains  and  penalties  may  diminish  the  commission  of 
crime  and  immorality ; but  when  they  can  be  avoided, 
or  when  restraint  is  removed,  iniquity  will  again 
abound,  because,  under  every  government,  stern  justice 
detects  the  fact  ouly  of  a breach  of  law,  and  makes  no 
appeal  whatever  to  the  conscience,  until  sentence  is 
pronounced,  when  the  evil  or  enormity  of  the  offence  is 
terribly  opened  upon  it.  And  these  rewards  and  pun- 
ishments are  directed  mainly  at  the  venal  hopes  or  the 
abject  fears  and  depraved  feelings  of  men,  which  should 
never  be  appealed  to  while  there  are  nobler  incentives 


35 


to  action  in  the  benign  affections  of  the  heart,  which 
by  steady  attention  may  be  taught  to  grow,  to  be  modi- 
fied, and  to  abide  there.  The  hopeless  reformations  which, 
for  several  years,  have  been  produced  by  the  Ragged 
Schools  of  England  among  the  most  abandoned  of  its 
prison  inmates,  are  some  of  the  happy  results  of  this 
Philosophy,  and  will  worthily  perpetuate  the  names  of 
Willis  and  of  Pound,  as  among  the  greatest  benefactors 
of  mankind.  It  is  the  first  conception  of  evil  that  is  to 
be  counteracted,  which,  like  the  baneful  seed  sown  in  a 
nutritious  soil,  not  only  attains  a vigorous  growth,  but 
propagates  and  reproduces  itself  a thousand-fold.  With 
this  consideration,  then,  it  matters  not  what  habit  or 
disposition  we  may  desire  to  cultivate,  we  should  early 
enforce  the  propriety  and  obligation  to  possess  it  with 
some  regard  to  the  laws  of  nature ; and  the  effect  will 
be  as^eertain  as  the  result  of  any  physical  cause. 

may  observe  a correspondence  between  the  way  of 
moral  and  religious  education,  and  the  spirit  and  temper 
of  the  people  of  every  nation,  which  plainly  indicates 
that  the  character  of  a people  may  be  moulded  by  their 
system  of  training  the  body  and  the  mind,  (rather  than 
by  the  restraint  of  laws,)  which,  from  early  and  habitual 
practice,  ripens  into  a seated  and  permanent  attachment. 
The  ancient  Persians  nurtured  their  youth  in  all  the 
rules  of  temperance  and  sobriety,  of  justice  and  virtue, 
and  until  the  days  of  Cyrus,  maintained  an  elevated 
character  as  a nation ; but  after  that  period,  by  neglect- 
ing the  cultivation  of  these  virtues,  they  degenerated 
and  became  an  easy  prey  to  their  Macedonian  conquer- 
ors. The  early  Eoman  severity  of  manners  well  accorded 
with  the  studied  formation  of  their  character  for  con- 


36 


quest;  but  their  rougher  genius  became  softened  by  the 
refinements  of  the  Augustan  age  and  by  Grecian  inter- 
course, and  thus  by  easy  indolence  their  liberty  was  extin- 
guished. The  commerce  of  Carthage,  which  supplied 
their  means  of  purchasing  foreign  aid  in  time  of  war,  occa- 
sioned intercourse  with  every  variety  of  people ; and  by 
the  influence  of  their  religion,  which  sanctioned  the  sacri- 
fice of  human  life  to  an  imaginary  Moloch,  displayed  ele- 
ments of  character  which  have  been  represented  to  be 
by  turns  imperious  and  servile,  melancholy  and  cruel, 
inexorable  and  faithless,  egotistical  and  covetous,  and 
which  even  the  better  morals  of  their  Koman  masters 
never  could  eradicate.  The  capricious  despotism  of 
China,  mingled  with  reverence  for  antiquated  custom 
and  the  Aphorisms  of  sages  inculcating  obedience  as  a 
virtue,  which  form  a considerable  part  of  their  learning, 
occasions  a remarkable  similarity  in  their  physical 
appearance,  and  has  given  them  the  qualities  of  Industry, 
Docility  and  Subordination ; whilst  their  Religion,  de- 
rived from  the  doctrines  of  Confucius,  fills  the  world 
with  demons  and  spirits,  to  exert  their  separate  influ- 
ence, and  produces  a disposition  to  Insincerity,  False- 
hood, and  mutual  distrust.  And  how  uniform  has  been 
the  sullen,  stolid,  and  abject  indifference  of  unlettered 
Africa  throughout  the  palmy  days  of  science,  and  every 
period  and  every  change  of  other  peoples  of  the  earth, 
from  that  hour  when  the  curse  of  everlasting  servitude 
fell  upon  the  children  of  Ham ! 

It  is  thus  we  unavoidably  attribute  to  almost  every 
nation,  at  this  day,  some  features  of  character  referable 
to  their  peculiar  plan  of  government  and  education. 


37 


The  dreadful  Keyolution  of  a night,  at  Paris,  too  truly 
solved  this  grave  Political  Problem. 

It  is,  then,  the  moral  training  of  its  People  that  stamps 
the  character  of  every  nation ; and  although  penal  enact- 
ments are  essential  in  every  municipal  code,  they  who  are 
subject  to  their  infliction  constitute  but  a small  portion 
of  the  people,  and  invariably  the  ignorant  and  vicious. 

Indeed,  if  society  is  to  be  united  by  such  means^  and 
not  by  habits  of  virtue  and  intelligence,  early  instilled 
and  vigilantly  improved,  it  cannot  be  of  long  duration 
for  any  beneficial  purposes.  And  therefore,  if  we  would 
have  the  well-being  of  society  preserved,  so  should  we 
constantly  address  some  innate  sense  of  kindness  and 
benevolence  in  the  human  heart ; some  feeling  of  self- 
respect,  (for  there  is  no  one,  however  depraved,  who  has 
not  within  him  the  latent  seeds  of  these  affections,)  and 
train  it  up  to  this  virtue  and  intelligence.  With  such 
culture  of  the  mind,  there  is  no  dream  of  Utopian  perfec- 
tion, in  looking  forward  to  a time  when  we  shall  seek 
rather  a development  of  moral  excellence,  than  study 
the  prevention  of  crime ; when  our  Houses  of  Refuge 
and  our  Penitentiaries  shall  be  transformed  into  nurse- 
ries of  Science  and  of  Liberal  Art ; and  when,  with  the 
graces  we  have  mentioned,  the  character  of  man  will 
have  that  elevation,  which  affords  the  surest  means  of 
perpetuating  the  honor  and  stability  of  our  Pepublic. 

Presuming,  now,  that  the  mind  has  been  judiciously 
prepared  by  the  formation  of  early  habits ; — that  the 
social  system  of  education  is  to  be  preferred ; — that 
under  our  happy  form  of  government  we  are  at  liberty 
freely  to  discuss  and  cultivate  the  sciences  of  Political 


38 


Economy,  Pliilosopliy,  and  Public  Law  ; — and  that  we 
are  made  sensible  of  the  importance  of  the  full  employ- 
ment of  time,  and  of  the  knowledge  and  practice  of 
religion,  and  are  convinced  of  the  effects  of  self-control 
and  industry ; we  are  brought  to  inquire  which  class  of 
the  various  Institutions  of  our  country  is  most  favorable 
to  qualify  the  Student  for  the  performance  of  that  duty 
which  we  have  laid  down  as  the  programme  of  his  life. 

We  do  not  insist  upon  the  efficacy  of  a Military 
School,  solely  in  its  distinctive  character.  We  advocate 
the  influence,  upon  evei^y  Institution,  of  that  discipline 
which,  like  a self-adjusting  spring,  can  be  made  appli- 
cable to  any  machinery,  and  can  keep  in  tension  all  its 
parts,  however  complex  they  may  be. 

Considering  the  claims  of  a well-regulated  Military 
School,  we  would  not  detract  from  the  competency  of 
our  Collegiate  Institutions  to  qualify  for  all  the  duties 
of  active  life,  while  their  fruits  prove  them  to  be  the 
rich  conservatories  of  science ; for  where  there  abides  in 
the  student  an  all-sufficient  motive,  and  an  appreciation 
of  the  advantages  held  forth  by  any  of  our  seats  of 
learning,  the  way  is  clear  before  him,  successfully  to  run 
the  race  which  leads  to  fame  and  honor.  And  there 
have  been  those,  so  gifted  with  resolution,  with  spirits  so 
stayed  in  their  purpose,  when  called  forth  at  some  event- 
ful period,  that  they  have  required  no  aid  from  disci- 
pline, nor  any  incentive  to  action.  But  exalted  motives 
and  the  exigences  of  a state  are  not  frequent,  and 
genius  does  not  often,  by  its  own  power,  break  from 
the  enthralments  to  which  adverse  circumstances  may 
have  subjected  it;  as  with  Ferguson,  Davy,  Niebuhr, 


39 


and  Adam  Clarke  in  Europe;  and,  in  our  own  land, 
Franklin,  Rittenhouse,  Huntington,  Sherman  and  others ; 
examples  of  what  may  be  effected,  under  the  keenest 
privations,  by  their  own  mental  powers  and  force  of 
unconquerable  resolution.  Such  men  are  exceptions  to 
the  rule  which  requires  system  and  discipline,  to  advance 
the  mind. 

Our  views  of  education,  however,  should  embrace 
the  mass  of  meu,  as  they  are  constituted  in  the  aggre- 
gate, with  every  grade  of  talent  and  every  variety  of 
disposition,  requiring  schools,  under  proper  government ; 
where  a youth,  as  in  the  well-drilled  army,  is  brought 
into  that  subjection  to  which  the  self-taught  spirits  we 
have  mentioned  brought  themselves,  and  to  which  he 
must  be  reduced,  if  he  would  achieve  a name ; where 
duty  is  enforced  by  a reasonable  authority,  and  self- 
control  becomes  the  first  fruit  of  its  exercise ; and  where, 
with  the  husbandry  of  a self-acting  principle,  and  se- 
questration of  the  heart  from  sensual  enjoyments,  every 
moment  of  time  is  made  to  tell  its  value. 

/^^^^hatever  may  be  the  part  which  the  scholar  has  to 
y perform  on  the  stage  of  life,  a Military  Education,  not 
restricted  to  the  theory  and  practice  of  arms,  but  ex- 
tending its  influence  to  cover  the  attainment  of  every 
branch  of  useful  knowledge,  may  be  considered  effect- 
ual, by  reason  of  a clearness  and  purity  of  mind  which 
arises  from  its  continued  action.  The  turbid  and  me- 
phitic stream  always  moves  heavily. 

There  is  no  department  of  business  for  which  the 
rudiments  of  martial  knowledge  do  not  qualify  the  stu- 
dent. Is  he  destined  for  the  learned  profession  of  Law, 


40 


or  Physic  ? He  has  laid,  deep  and  strong,  the  habit  of 
observation,  of  reflection,  and  of  logical  reasoning ; a 
sense  of  moral  obligation,  and  a systematic  employ- 
ment of  time ; and,  by  his  associations,  he  has  cherished 
those  principles  of  honor  which  are  indispensable  in  the 
elevated  and  often  delicate  positions  in  which  he  may 
be  placed.  Is  he  destined  for  a Mercantile  Pursuit? 
The  promptness,  order,  and  regularity,  observed  in  his 
academic  exercises,  may  be  readily  transferred  to  the 
desk  and  the  mart,  and  must  induce  precision,  in  all 
his  contracts  and  engagements.  Does  he  choose  that 
most  exalted  and  that  noblest  of  callings,  the  ministry 
of  the  Gospel  ? His  text  book  is  replete  with  details  of 
military  conflicts,  and  with  analogies  which  would  seem 
to  require  a corresponding  genius  and  attainment,  to 
bring  to  that  good  and  just  account,  for  which  they 
appear  to  have  been  designed  We  need  not  refer  to  the 
battles  of  Empyrean  Hierarchies,  before  the  foundations 
of  the  earth  were  laid,  when  ‘Hhey  which  kept  not 
their  first  estate’^  were  reserved  for  future  doom ; nor 
to  the  martial  engagements  of  the  early  Patriarchs ; the 
battles  of  the  chosen  people  of  God,  (every  man  of 
whom  was  militant,)  of  the  kings  of  Israel  and  Judah ; 
and  of  the  Maccabees,  of  more  modern  date ; all  which 
were  intended  to  effect  the  sovereign  purposes  of  Provi- 
dence, to  shadow  forth  some  signal  events  in  the  great 
plan  of  Redemption,  and  to 

vindicate  the  ways  of  God  to  raan.”^ 

I say,  it  is  unnecessary  to  refer  to  such  incidents, 
which  form  a tissue  of  sacred  narrative,  or  to  those  of 
later  Ecclesiastical  History,  for  a recognition  of  the 


41 


lawful  causes  of  war.  But  we  may  come  to  tlie  peaceful 
period  of  tlie  New  Testament,  where  the  Chiistian 
Soldier  is  represented  on  his  way,  as  in  a state  of  contin- 
ual warfare,  every  step  of  which  is  to  be  contested, 
and  to  be  gained  by  victory  over  his  spiritual  enemies. 
And  where  shall  we  find  a closer  analogy  than  has 
been  drawn  by  the  great  Apostle,  in  his  description  of 
that  panoply  in  which  he  figuratively  arrays  the  soldier 
of  the  cross,  and  by  a text  so  military,  that  no  part  of 
his  armor  may  be  wanting,  from  the  head  adorned  “ with 
the  helmet  of  salvation,”  to  the  feet  “ shod  with  the  prep- 
aration of  the  Gospel  of  Peace.”  He  requires  only  a 
spiritual  unction  to  his  prevailing  sense  of  duty,  his 
morals,  and  energy,  to  nerve  his  arm  in  the  battle  of  his 
faith,  to  wield  the  sword  of  the  Lord  and  of  Gideon. 

If  he  make  choice  of  the  soldier’s  life,  he  has,  by 
the  salutary  privations  of  the  school,  been  fitted  for 
enduring  the  fatigues,  the  dangers,  and  the  duties  of  a 
camp;  he  is  already  initiated,  with  every  accomplish- 
ment, not  as  one  whose  business  is  to  kill  and  destroy, 
to  sack  and  plunder,  or  to  gratify  “ the  pride,  pomp, 
and  circumstance  of  glorious  war.”  He  has,  on  the 
contrary,  by  his  own  well-regulated  conduct,  learned  to 
temper  courage  with  discretion ; ambition  with  benevo- 
lence ; to  blend  the  tactics  of  war  with  Christian 
virtue,  and  intrepidity  of  heart  with  the  beauty  of 
holiness ; and  to  unite  all  the  finer  principles  of  con- 
duct, whether  of  probity,  public  spirit,  or  humanity, 
which  are,  or  ought  to  be,  the  genuine  characteristics 
of  his  profession,  and  which,  in  every  department,  form 
the  outlines  of  the  brave  and  good  man,  who  would 


42 


prefer  to  a triumphal  procession,  with  captive  monarchs 
at  his  chariot  wheels,  the  modern  ovation,  which  leaves 
the  vanquished  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  liberty,  and 
elevates  them  to  a higher  degree  of  civilization.  In  all 
his  intercourse  with  the  world,  he  brings  with  him  the 
elements  of  a knowledge  of  mankind,  and  the  decision, 
firmness,  and  forbearance,  which  the  intricate  affairs  of 
life  require.  And  wherever  we  follow  him,  in  this  our 
continent,  whether  it  be  on  the  exchange,  or  in  the 
retired  walks  of  society ; whether  he  plow  the  main, 
or  be  tracing  out  and  laying  open  thoroughfares  over 
the  untrodden  wilderness  and  impenetrable  mountain 
passes  which  divide  the  country,  we  shall  find  the 
same  impulse  given  to  his  actions,  as  the  result  of  that 
wholesome  and  effective  discipline. 

A It  would  seem  unnecessary  further  to  press  the 
claims  of  a Military  School,  properly  conducted,  to  per — 
feet  the  military  character,  or,  in  the  words  of  Milton, 

“ The  rudiments  of  soldiership  in  all  the  skill  of  embat- 
tling, marching,  encamping,  fortifying,  besieging,  and 
battering,  with  all  the  help  of  ancient  and  modern 
stratagems,  and  warlike  maxims.”  It  is,  in  fact,  but 
teaching  him.  his  adopted  pursuit  in  life,  and  making 
him  familiar  with  the  exercises  that  beget  a confidence 
without  which  courage  may  avail  but  little. 

The  soldier’s  faith  is  truly  to  be  accompanied  by 
works.  When  Hezekiah’s  dominions  were  invaded  by 
the  Assyrian  Sennacherib,  and  he  expected  that  Jerusa- 
lem would  be  under  siege,  we  are  told,  in  the  Book  of 
Chronicles,  that  he  first  took  counsel  with  ‘‘his  princes 
and  mighty  men.”  He  strengthened  himself,  and  built 


43 


up  the  '^uter  and  inner  walls.  He  made  darts  and 
shields  in  abundance,  and  he  set  Captains  of  War  over 
the  people.  And  then  he  rested  his  people,  for  help, 
on  the  God  of  battles.  And  the  prayers  of  the  good 
and  valorous  Nehemiah,  (three  hundred  years  after,) 
for  the  protection  of  the  same  citadel,  were  not  alone 
the  stay  of  his  faith,  when,  with  patriotic  ardor,  he  and 
his  servants  rebuilt  its  twice  dilapidated  walls,  while 
each,  with  one  hand,  wrought  in  the  w'ork,  and  with  the 
other  held  a weapon  of  defence.  These  are  admirable 
lessons  for  later  generations ; to  first  apply  their  phys- 
ical and  intellectual  resources  as  Providential  means  to 
the  end.  All  history  and  observation  should  satisfy  us 
that  God  helps  the  men  who  help  themselves.  And  if 
the  art  of  war  is  neglected  by  a nation,  then  may  “ the 
enemy  come  in  like  a flood.”  National  honor  will  droop 
and  perisli,  and,  with  it,  national  pride,  and  all  that  it 
involves,  to  sustain  the  enterprises  of  the  day.  Com- 
merce, the  arts  and  sciences,  nay,  even  religion  itself 
must  lose  its  purity  and  consequent  power,  if  our  hearts 
do  not  burn  with  love  of  country  and  devotedness  to  its 
protection,  with  that  noble  pledge  our  fathers  once  gave, 
“Their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor.” 

The  schools  of  other  countries,  and  their  martial  deeds, 
the  many  distinguished  leaders  of  our  own  armies,  and 
the  inferior  officers  who  have  been  graduated  at  our 
military  academies  and  their  feats  in  battles  yet  fresh 
in  memory, — of  Cerro  Gordo,  Molino  del  Pey,  and  Chu- 
rubusco,  have  shown  the  success  of  armies  under  well- 
disciplined  and  educated  officers,  and  are  conclusive  evi- 
dence of  their  advantage.  But,  unless  this  preliminary 


44 


and  severe  course  of  study  and  occupation  is  conjoined 
witli,  and  tempered  by,  a liberal  academic  course,  it 
may  prove,  in  many  instances,  but  tlie  nursing  of  future 
evil  to  tliemselves  and  to  their  country. 

An  accomplished  general,  in  modern  times,  like  the 
heroes  of  antiquity,  should  be  perfect  in  science  and  lit- 
erature ; equally  capable,  by  his  attainiuents,  to  direct 
the  affairs  of  state  in  peace,  and  to  lead  out  its  armies  to 
battle.  “ That  I call,”  says  Milton,  “ a complete  and 
generous  education,  which  fits  a man  to  perform  justly, 
skilfully,  and  magnanimously,  all  the  offices,  both  piivate 
and  public,  of  peace  and  war.”  Indeed,  it  might  be 
difficult  to  determine  whether  Athens  should  have 
boasted  more  of  the  military  powers  of  her  Themisto- 
cles,  Phocion,  and  Miltiades,  and  Eome  of  her  Fabius, 
Caesar,  and  Camillus,  than  of  their  mental  energies  and 
their  eloquence  ; for  we  are  told  that  the  Classic  nations 
revered  “the  same  Pallas  as  the  Goddess  of  war  and  of 
wisdom,”  and  that  an  illiterate  commander  would  have 
been  the  contempt  of  Eome  and  of  Greece.  Both  in 
Egypt  and  Assyria,  in  Persia,  Greece,  and  Eome,  (says 
Lord  Verulam,)  the  same  times  that  are  most  renowned 
for  arms  are  likewise  most  admired  for  learning. 

From  what  has  been  said,  it  may  be  inferred  that 
Military  Science  gives  advantage  to  the  statesman,  in 
securing  a proper  understanding  of  the  details  of  those 
departments  of  government  which  are  established  for  its 
protection  and  maintenance,  and  are  always  affording 
subjects  for  discussion  in  our  legislative  councils,  which 
concern  a large  proportion  of  the  Treasury  disburse- 
ments, and  which  materially  affect  the  various  employ- 


45 


merits  of  oiir  citizens  connected  with  them.  These,  with 
a correct  knowledge  and  judgment,  he  may  skilfully 
direct,  and  thus  more  ably  prevent  the  abuses  and  cor- 
ruption  which  are  ever  attendant  upon  all  human 
institutions. 

The  policy  of  the  State,  also,  in  time  of  peace,  is  often 
so  interwoven  with  difficulties  as  to  require  a nice  dis- 
crimination of  the  just  causes  of  war,  as  to  call  for  an 
ability,  decision,  and  promptness,  seldom  to  be  found 
where  it  has  not  been  early  and  studiously  cultivated. 
There  was  never  an  instance  of  greater  political  talent 
and  celebrity,  founded  upon  private  and  domestic  instruc- 
tion, than  that  exhibited  to  the  world  by  the  younger 
Pitt.  That  great  statesman,  who,  by  his  genius,  firm- 
ness, and  consistency,  as  the  Premier  of  England,  could 
breast  the  powerful  opposition  of  Parliament,  and  tri- 
umphantly complete  those  financial  measures  which  are 
still  operating  for  the  benefit  of  his  country ; and  could, 
at  one  period,  rivet  the  confidence  of  the  Throne  and  of 
the  People,  was  yet  unsuccessful  in  his  schemes  of  for- 
eign policy,  which  required  the  intervention  of  arms  to 
disperse  the  dark  clouds  which  hung  over  the  destinies 
of  France,  and  threatened,  by  its  revolution,  to  involve 
very  kingdom  in  Europe. 


We  do  not  assume  the  position  that  this  discipline  is 
indispensable  to  the  statesman  ; for  here,  as  under  other 
heads  we  have  mentioned,  rare  genius  will  vault  over 
every  rule.  But  it  cannot  be  denied,  that  the  system 
does  afford  superior  advantages.  The  sagacity  of  a sin- 
gle great  statesman  would  have  been  more  disastrous  to 
the  Kin 2:  of  Israel,  on  his  memorable  abdication  and 

O f 


46 


flight,  than  all  the  armed  force  that  could  have  been 
arrayed  against  him,  had  there  not  been  a superior  skill 
in  military  stratagem,  by  which  the  counsel  of  Ahitho- 
phel  was  “ turned  into  foolishness.” 

Military  knowledge  is  not  less  important  to  the  His- 
TOKiAisr.  Histoiy  is  the  great  moral  luminary  which 
radiates  the  experience  of  past  generations  for  the 
benefit  of  the  present  age.  It  exhibits  the  Empires  of 
Time  which  have  arisen,  have  flourished,  and  have* 
fallen,  by  the  force  and  power  of  arms,  guided  and 
directed  by  martial  enterprise  and  talent.  And  it 
conveys  to  us  lessons  of  caution  or  encouragement,  by 
describing  the  array  of  armies,  and  their  munitions, 
their  devices,  and  their  strategies,  for  invasion  or  de- 
fense ; their  battles  and  sieges ; and  the  success  or 
defeat,  which  has  attended  them.  These  momentous 
events,  and  the  acts  of  the  illustrious  men  who  have 
figured  in  them,  are  perpetuated  by  the  historian,  who 
should  himself  be  familiar  with  the  whole  field  of  mili- 
tary tactics,  and  with  the  science  of  engineering,  and 
its  application  to  military  architecture,  to  enable  him 
to  clearly  comprehend  his  subject,  or  happily  to  convey 
impressions  of  Character,  and  to  teach  the  moral  of 
their  actions  to  Posterity.  Thucydides,  that  great  mas- 
ter of  history,  displayed  not  less  of  the  Political  Phi- 
losopher, by  reason  of  his  youthful  engagements  in 
military  service.  The  early  martial  lessons  of  Poly- 
bius, and  his  subsequent  experience  in  the  art  of  war, 
enabled  him  to  bequeath  to  the  world  his  imperishable 
works,  which  are  said  to  afford  the  true  politics  of  his- 
tory. The  works  of  the  illustrious  soldier  and  states- 


47 


mail,  Xenophon,  and  the  commentaries  of  Caesar,  will 
he  coeval  with  time.  And  we  have  seen,  in  onr  day, 
that  Napier,  who  was  a prominent  actor  in  the  Pe- 
ninsular war  of  England  with  France,  has  given  an 
interest  to  that  subject,  where  Southey,  with  all  his 
laborious  research  and  attractive  style,  has  failed. 

But  it  is  not  for  Heroes  only,  whose  pomp  is  ofttimes 
furnished  from  rapine,  and  their  scarlet  from  blood ; — 
nor  for  the  consummate  Statesman,  whose  ambition 
may  cause  him  to  become  reckless  of  a nation’s  glory, 
and  to  gratify  alone  his  self-aggrandizement;  nor  yet 
for  the  Historian,  who,  with  all  his  ability,  may  be 
governed  by  prejudice : it  is  not  for  the  benefit  of  these 
only  that  our  system  is  intended.  It  is  for  the  humblest 
citizen,  who  noiselessly  mixes  with  society,  and  who 
constitutes  a part  of  that  body  of  the  people,  who  roll 
on  the  ball  of  public  opinion.  Public  opinion  ! that 
great,  impartial  arbiter  of  the  acts  of  men,  and  the 
destinies  of  empires.  It  is  for  the  citizen  soldier,  who 
may  be  withdrawn  from  peaceful  employments,  to  join, 
in  the  strife  of  war,  with  every  natural  propensity  of 
his  heart  unbroken.  It  is  for  every  man  of  the  nation 
who  can  venture  a thought  for  the  public  weal,  can 
ply  a sinew  for  its  support,  or  can  wield  a sword  for 
the  vindication  of  its  rights ; who  needs,  and  ought  to 
have,  the  wholesome  checks  and  guidance  of  this  high- 
est and  strongest  arm  of  our  country’s  protection  and 
defense. 

Objections  have  been  made  to  a Military  Education, 
that  it  excites  an  emotion  incompatible  with  peaceful 
pursuits,  encourages  a warlike  disposition,  and  begets 


48 


that  seemingly  aristocratic  bearing,  which  is  not  easily 
tolerated  in  civil  life.  But  will  not  the  same  enthusb 
asm,  the  same  fixedness  of  purpose,  qualify  for  other 
employments,  while  soldierly  habits  are  but  the  aux- 
iliaries to  general  improvement,  and  yet  strictly  such 
as  to  prepare  the  mind  predisposed  for  the  science  of 
war  ? And  we  cannot  presume,  that  the  education  of 
a youth,  which  shall  prompt  to  chivalric  action,  by  his 
familiar  knowledge  of  the  biography  of  men  distin- 
guished for  heroism  and  mental  refinement,  will  make 
him  less  disposed  to  act  the  part  of  a gentleman,  in 
every  department  of  life.  Our  Army  and  Navy  offi- 
cers have  been  considered  as  the  patterns  of  courtesy 
and  politeness ; a fact,  wffiich  should  be  the  pride  of  any 
nation.  And  this  may  be  the  result  of  habitual  and 
close  observation  of  the  comparative  rights  of  men. 
Hence  the  remark  of  the  erudite  Coleridge,  (however 
distasteful  may  be  some  of  his  gratuitous  compliments 
to  our  national  institutions,)  “That  the  gentlemanly 
character  arises  out  of  a feeling  of  equality  under  all 
the  circumstances  of  social  intercourse,  the  trivial,  not 
less  than  the  important,  and  with  the  ease  of  habit,  act- 
ing as  a habit,  yet  flexible,  to  the  varieties  of  rank,  and 
modified  without  being  disturbed  or  superseded  by 
them.”  But,  however  there  may  appear  to  be  cause 
for  such  objections,  it  is  a part  of  the  soldier’s  duty, 
to  command  as  well  as  to  obey ; and  where  authority 
exists,  there  must  be  the  “external  manner,”  which, 
when  exercised  within  its  legitimate  sphere,  is  becom- 
ing, and,  with  discretion,  will  never  be  offensive.  Our 
theory  of  war  has  none  of  the  sub  til  ties  and  selfish 


49 


principles  of  so-called  Machiavelism,  but  is  now  made 
only  the  ultei*ior  measure  for  determining  national  con- 
troversies, without  the  effects  which  the  vain-glorious 
passions  of  mankind  have  hitherto  produced. 

May  we  not  then  claim  for  Military  Discipline,  not 
its  prerogative  but  its  legitimate  functions,  in  conduct- 
ing the  education  of  youth,  and  justly  submit,  for  the 
consideration  of  our  Legislative  Assemblies,  the  ines- 
timable advantage  that  may  arise  to  the  country  at 
large,  from  liberal  appropriations  of  Anns  and  Imple- 
ments, for  the  use  of  all  our  Institutions  which  may 
adopt  this  discipline;  and  especially  in  the  abnormal 
state  of  our  new  Territories,  where  insurrectionary  in- 
terests or  predatory  invasion  may  be  counteracted  by 
a competent  knowledge  of  warfare,  and  where  civil 
society  may  receive  its  greatest  benefit  and  highest 
ornament  by  such  endowments  ? 

/ In  whatever  light  we  may  view  this  subject,  it  is  a 
matter  not  only  of  national  policy,  but  of  necessity,  that 
a martial  spirit  should  be  made  to  act  upon  the  v/hole 
process  of  education,  as  we  have  endeavored  to  show. 
We  owe  it  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  (the  dearly-pur- 
chased privilege  we  now  enjoy,)  for  its  continuance ; 
for,  as  Sallust  observes,  “ Imperium  facile,  his  artibus, 
retinetur,  quibus  initio  partum  est.”  The  same  arts  hy 
which  dominion  was  first  acquired^  will  serve  to  secure 
it.  The  first  breath  of  liberty  was  inhaled,  with  a suc- 
cessful resistance  to  Tyranny,  by  an  appeal  to  arms,  and 
Heaven ; and  the  vestiges  of  three  triumphal  wai's, 
may  satisfy  us,  that  if  it  were  not  for  the  martial  zeal 
which  pervades  our  land,  springing  from  a recollection 

4 


50 


of  the  eventful  deeds  we  periodically  celebrate,  we 
might  now  have  been  in  the  crushed  and  fettered  con- 
dition of  those  unhappy  nations,  who  are  the  victims  of 
that  despicable  and  cruel  engine  of  oppression,  a Stand- 
ing Army  ! We  owe  it  to  the  oppressed,  and  trodden- 
down  people  of  every  portion  of  the  earth,  who  can,  by 
possibility,  breathe  the  pure  air  of  freedom,  as  the  only 
means  of  repaying  that  sacred  debt  of  gratitude  to 
foreign  nations  who  shared  with  us  the  perils  and  toils 
of  the  Kevolution,  which  established  the  rights  of  man, 
on  the  sure  basis  of  Independence.  Whether  it  be  for 
Intervention,  or  to  wait  the  crisis  when  Freedom’s  blow 
is  to  be  struck, — let  our  national  councils  determine  ; 
but  never  let  it  be  said,  that  we  can  sit  indifferent  to 
the  wails  of  the  oppressed,  although  they  come  from 
across  the  wide  ocean,  or  from  the  utmost  ends  of 
the  earth.  No  ! by  the  prowess  of  an  Ingraham  it  has 
already  been  demonstrated  abroad,  that  the  ^gis  of 
his  country’s  name  and  rights  will  ever  shield  her'^^ 
adopted  children  from  the  grasp  of  foreign  power.  And 
while  the  Angel  of  Liberty,  like  him  in  the  Apoca- 
lyptic vision,  is  taking  flight  “through  the  midst  of 
heaven,”  the  God-fearing,  law-loving  people  of  our 
happy  country  will  speed  his  course,  until  that  glorious 
standard  shall  be  unfurled,  and  float  through  other 
realms,  as  it  now  waves  over  this 

“ Land  of  the  Brave,  and  Home  of  the  Free.” 

If  a military  spirit,  properly  directed,  is  not  com- 
mendable, why  have  Poetry  and  Romance  so  often 
woven  triumphal  garlands  for  the  soldier’s  brow ; and 


51 


why  has  the  chieftain’s  name  been  more  than  once  made 
a passport  to  the  highest  honors  of  his  country  ? Why, 
on  each  return  of  our  national  jubilee,  do  we  sing  paeans 
in  honor  of  those  mighty  spirits  who  secured  to  us  the 
rich  blessings  we  now  enjoy?  Why  was  the  time- 
honored  La  Fayette  invited  to  become  a nation’s  guest, 
when  half  a century  had  rolled  between  his  last  advent 
to  our  shores,  and  those  stirring  and  glorious  incidents 
which  identified  him  with  our  country’s  name?  And, 
in  later  and  recent  times,  why  did  that  great  Apostle 
of  Liberty  who  performed  his  mission  through  this 
land,  light  up  a fire  of  enthusiasm  in  every  breast,  in 
behalf  of  his  spirit-stricken  countrymen,  and  excite 
such  universal  applause  for  the  announcement  of  doc- 
trines of  national  fraternity,  which,  if  true,  wdll  ulti- 
mately knit  the  entire  universe  of  mankind  into  one 
VAST  Eepublic,  by  the  bonds  of  love  and  peace  ? 

“ Man  is  one  : 

And  he  hath  one  great  heart.  And  thus  we  feel, 

With  a gigantic  throb,  across  the  sea. 

Each  other’s  rights  and  wrongs.” 

These  events  say  to  us  in  a language  that  cannot  be 
misunderstood,  that  there  is  a spirit  in  man,  an  innate, 
indomitable  spirit,  that  cannot  be  resisted  to  its  destruc- 
tion, although  it  may  be  checked  and  ripened  to  use- 
fulness by  the  influences  of  a proper  education,  by  giv- 
ing it  a true  direction  to  serve  the  cause  of  justice  and 
humanity,  and  not  the  mere  schemes  of  vain-glory,  and 
insatiable  ambition.  The  day  of  educational  reform 
sheds  its  light  through  every  portion  of  the  world 


52 


where  civil  liberty  prevails ; and  the  raind,  left  free  to 
roam  over  the  inexhaustible  fields  of  Literature  and 
Science,  will  prove  their  uses  to  mankind.  Practical 
knowledge  is  no  longer  to  be  excluded  from  the  schol- 
ar’s acquirements  ; and,  with  reason  swayed  by  a right 
judgment,  and  unprejudiced  by  political  power, — with 
the  understanding  best  taught  by  experience  and  ob- 
servation, our  educated  young  men  may,  in  their  turn, 
go  forth  into  the  great  school-room  of  the  World,  them- 
selves to  teach  and  influence,  by  precept  and  example, 
the  many  thousands  who  may  be  reached  by  that  strict 
discipline,  which  guards  and  corrects  the  waywardness 
of  youth,  as  it  jealously  husbands  the  fleeting  hours, 
and  which  can  most  effectually  conduce  to  a knowledge 
of  themselves ; — the  True  Philosophy  and  happiness  of 
Man,  and  that  highest  of  all  obligations — duty  to  their 
Creatoe. 


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